Need advice on mountain bike purchase

[redplanet]

heya

pretty sure must be some moutain bikers on neowin so here goes. I currently have a Trek 4900 all built with XT. I'd like to purchase a dualie(full suspension) someone offered me a used Specialized Big Hit Comp it's the 02 model.

this is 04 Model

I ride more XC then DH want to know if this is gonna be a good purchase ?

Thanks

[baseballpro9]

Hmm, it looks like there arent that many mountain bikers, sorry

[redplanet]

seems so :-\

[youm0nt Veteran]

the bighit will be pretty heavy for cross country use.i am not sure how the FSR suspension linkage is when it comes to pedal induced bobbing and efficiency.i know i wouldnt get that bike for cross country but for dh and freeride. ;) .if you have the money get a specialized epic. :p other nice cross country full suspension bikes are:

ellworth truth

maverick ml7 http://www.maverickamerican.com/products/frames/

santa cruz blur

intense spider 5.5

all are very pedal efficient and personally like the ellsworth truth the best. :woot: :happy: :yes: what brands are available at your local shop?

[threetonesun]

I personally hate FS for XC, I think a steel frame with front suspension is ideal.

If you've never ridden a light weight steel framed bike, you're missing out.

[Rahul]

make sure its titanium & aluminium & has more than 7 gears , has good shockers & is of a trusted make .

[FaRSightxc2]

I agree with youm0nt, if you are going to ride XC then the Big Hit is probably a bit heavy. Off-hand I cannot think of any specific bike, but a Ti or Carbon frame is probably advisable, if you have the money.

And I also agree about Ellesworth being good bike manufactuers. I was going to get the Ellesworth Specialist trials frame a bit ago! It gorgeous!

Posh Bikes is a great site for finding information on bikes, and new models. It has everything from componants to bikes. Wiggle is also good for componants.

More links:

Haro Bikes

Specialized

And of course Orange Bikes. I have an Orange Zero trials frame and I reccomend their products. Here is where the bikes are at.

:)

[youm0nt Veteran]

stick with titanium and carbon fiber for the road bikes. :p but there are carbon fiber and titanium xc mountain bikes out there.i dont think ive seen a bike with both in the same frame except for maybe the cannondale scalpel since it has carbon fiber chain stays.

farsightxc2: do you run a rear disc brake in the back or a hydraulic rim brake?

[San Diego]

I own 3 GT bikes and used to race mountain bikes. I wouldn't own anything else but I guess I say that because they used to sponsor me. Full suspension is a good way to go, but I never had one for the fact that when pedaling standing up, if not extremely tight, the spring gives a bouncy feeling which I couldn't stand. Good luck in your hunt for a bike. If you want to know more about GT's, let me know.

[threetonesun]

I found the link, you want this bike:

http://www.ifbikes.com/frames2/steeldeluxe.shtml

Ok, I want that bike, but it's sweet.

[tickbabies]

Kona has some pretty sweet bikes kona link i recently purchased the scrap. real fun free ride bike. specalized has some nice bikes as well. $699 us. pretty good deal

Edited August 13, 2004 by tickbabies

[redplanet]

thanks guys for your suggestions i will go check out some of the bikes that were mentionned

i may of found a good frame Orxy Hurricane though only available in Canada or maybe this frame Rocky Mountain ETSX

like i said i ride more XC but i wanna do not to DH extreme from time to time.

thanks again

[redplanet]

I own 3 GT bikes and used to race mountain bikes. I wouldn't own anything else but I guess I say that because they used to sponsor me. Full suspension is a good way to go, but I never had one for the fact that when pedaling standing up, if not extremely tight, the spring gives a bouncy feeling which I couldn't stand. Good luck in your hunt for a bike. If you want to know more about GT's, let me know.

I've looked for GT i wanted the new ID XC frame but GT doesn't offer only the frame. I wanna swap as much parts from my trek as i can.

GT was in fact the first bikes i looked for :-)

[redplanet]

the bighit will be pretty heavy for cross country use.i am not sure how the FSR suspension linkage is when it comes to pedal induced bobbing and efficiency.i know i wouldnt get that bike for cross country but for dh and freeride. ;) .if you have the money get a specialized epic. :p other nice cross country full suspension bikes are:

ellworth truth

maverick ml7 http://www.maverickamerican.com/products/frames/

santa cruz blur

intense spider 5.5

all are very pedal efficient and personally like the ellsworth truth the best. :woot: :happy: :yes: what brands are available at your local shop?

the ellsworth truth does seem nice i'll have to check if local shops here carry them.

thanks

[benostiguy]

What about Norco bikes?

They have some really great bikes out now!

Check 'em out Norco Bikes

[youm0nt Veteran]

the ellsworth truth does seem nice i'll have to check if local shops here carry them.

thanks

no problem.just beware its pretty expensive. my local shop sells the truth for $3700. :p with full XT,hayes brakes and fox suspension in the back and front.